Bernie Leon "B.L." Sims, 90, of Decatur, Ala., went to be with his Heavenly Father, whom he faithfully served, on Monday, December 29, 2008.

Funeral service were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2008, at Shelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Randy Van Landingham officiating.

A celebration of life was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2009 at Shiloh Baptist Church with Rev. Benny Yates officiating. Interment followed in Shiloh Cemetery, Chambers County, Ala.

Mr. Sims was born December 16, 1918, in Lafayette to Warner M. Sims and Ida Jane Wesley Sims. He was retired from Liquid Air and an U. S. Army veteran of Patton's Third Army European Theatre during World War II. He was a member of the Morgan West Camp of Gideons International since 1963 and member and former Sunday school teacher at Ninth Street United Methodist Church. He loved sharing God's word and witnessing to His saving power.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

He is survived by his "Georgia Peach" and loving wife of 65 years, Norma Ruth Scott Sims of Decatur; one son, Bernie L. Sims, Jr. and wife, Laura, of Montgomery, Ala.; two daughters, Madeline Sims Williams and husband, Greg, of Hoover and Carla Sims Needham and husband, Rick, of Vestavia Hills; two sisters, Cathryn Sims Hadaway and Virginia Sims Cottrell; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers were members of Gideons International and the Kizziah Sunday School Class of Ninth Street United Methodist Church.

The family respectfully requests no floral tributes be sent. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gideons International or Ninth Street United Methodist Church, Decatur, AL.